I recently had the opportunity, given to me by a very brave pastor, who asked me to preach on the fact that even Christians get depressed.

I’ve talked to many pastors, who have told me that no one in their church suffers from depression. I then scratch my head and wonder what planet they are on. You only have to open up your Bible to see that Jonah, and Elijah, and Job, and David struggled with depression. David said numerous times, “Why so downcast oh my soul?”

“Why so downcast oh my soul?” I could have written that line back in the day when I walked through the valley of depression.

I’m so grateful that God put those stories in the Bible so that I didn’t feel so alone as I was going through the dark night of my soul.

But there are some people who still believe the myth that Christians don’t get depressed.

There was a very brave pastor, Tim Ross, who let me come and share with his congregation about the hope that prevails because of God. But can I tell you, that what happened that Sunday in that congregation really had very little to do with me. I was just a conduit to deliver God’s word. That’s all I did: I spoke about the truth of God’s word, shared my testimony, and refuted the lies of the enemy.

Christians and Depression

I believe the real battle against the giant of depression, is in our mind. Yes, there are chemical contributors, and yes, there are genetic contributors, and stress can contribute to depression, but what God revealed to me when I was in depression’s valley is that there is a spiritual root to depression and the way to battle it is in our mind.

God had great plans for that church congregation, who were brave enough to let us have a very honest, real discussion about depression amongst Christians.

Quite honestly, I thought I’d come home from preaching and take a nap because I hadn’t slept well the couple of nights before because I was so filled with excitement over what God wanted to do. It was amazing. God wanted me to share from Isaiah 61:1-3.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, a
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

Freedom from Depression

That’s what God did in that congregation. I stayed after the service and had the opportunity to talk to people for close to an hour afterwards. People said, “I’m so glad you shared your story of depression, because that’s what I have been struggling with.” “I needed to know how to fight back against this demon of depression.” “I needed to know that I wasn’t alone.” “I needed to know that there is a resource to help me.”

I talked to person after person after person for about an hour afterwards, who shared that they too suffered from depression. All because there was a pastor who was brave enough to allow me to speak on a topic that is taboo in many churches. He not only asked me to speak but admonished me, “Hit it hard! We want freedom in our church, and we don’t want to shy away from the difficult topics.

I’m so thankful for him. And I’m hoping there will be more churches that are willing to address those hard topics. This is just the start. By 2020, depression is going to be our greatest epidemic worldwide. But not if I have anything to say about it.

Listen to the Embassy City Church Sermon on Podcast: Even Christians Get Depressed

It just filled my heart with joy to see people looking so much freer after I shared; to know that they aren’t alone, to know that there’s help, to know that there is hope. It all comes from God. It really didn’t have anything to do with me. It has everything to do with God.

Would you pray for them? Pray that they’ll continue to do the hard work, because I know the enemy will come after them and try to convince them that what they learned isn’t really true and that healing isn’t for them; “that worked for her, but it won’t work for you;” “you’re too far gone.”

I know how he works. He will plant the seed of doubt in their mind. Pray that they will continue to seek the help and hope that God has for them, and that the enemy won’t be allowed a place in their minds. I know they heard God! And He wants to do a great work in them. They heard the Holy Spirit—I know they did. I could see it in their eyes.

I want them, and you, to have the same freedom that He gave me. He says in His Word that He will comfort you so that you can comfort others with the comfort you have been given. I want that for them, and for you.

I’m tired of the enemy winning. He should be a defeated foe because Christ already has the victory because of His shed blood on the cross.

I can’t wait to see what else God wants to do! He wants to set the captives free, and I want to be a part of that. If you or your church need a speaker with 30 years in the mental health field, who has faced the valley of depression and come out on the other side in order to give others hope, please let me know by sending me a message on the form at the bottom of my speaking page.

God wants to return our joy. He said, “I have told you these things so that my joy might be in you, and your joy might be complete.” He wants to bring back joy, and I can’t wait to watch to see how He does it.

I pray that your joy might be complete as well. I pray hope-filled blessings on your life.

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

 

 

Related Reading:

I Have a Confession: I’m a Christian and I was Suicidal

 

 

A Letter To One Struggling With Depression

 

There Is No Shame In Depression

 

Depression doesn’t have to become a permanent part of life.

There is hope.

Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.

Hope Prevails and the Hope Prevails Bible Study are must-reads for anyone suffering from depression or knows someone suffering from depression.

“It is refreshing to have a board-certified neuropsychologist acknowledge the spiritual component of depression, but it is even more impressive that Dr. Bengtson would be willing to share her own journey through the fog of despair. Her personal insights are invaluable for those who are struggling with what is often described as ‘the common cold of mental illness.’”

Dr. Neil T. Anderson, founder and president emeritus of Freedom in Christ Ministries and
Author of Overcoming Depression